Chapter Twenty-One - The Calm


    <strong>Chapter Twenty-One - The Calm</strong>


    <em>Samurai tend to work alone. Its true that there are somerger organisations run by samurai who exist to assist samurai on and off the field, but even the members of these tend to be extremely self-reliant and have a tendency to want to work on their own.</em>


    <em>It will happen though, in rare moments, that two or more samurai will work together long enough to form a sort of bond. Lag and Dial-up; DoubleDog and Electric Heart. There have been many iconic samurai teams that havested years.</em>


    <em>Even the extremely powerful samurai aplish more when working together.</em>


    <em>In this teamwork seminar, we hope to use some of the tips and tricks learned by observing these to make your teamwork even greater!</em>


    --Obligatory Team Building Seminar, 2056


    ***


    Somehow, Lucy convinced Franny that she absolutely needed a tour of the house. She had the taller redhead by the wrist and dragged her off to see some of the neater rooms. She was pretty proud that shed designed a lot of the house herself.


    That left Delh and I at the table, both of us more than a little stuffed and suffering from that pleasant haze that came from eating far too much of the worst kinds of food.


    Its a nice ce, Delh said. She made a vague, weak gesture at the room around us.


    Yeah, its pretty nice, I said. Not as safe as I want it to be yet, but well get there.


    I trust you, Delh said. She picked at some fries, finding the most burnt, crispiest one before tossing it into her mouth. Thanks for the supper, by the way.


    I hardly did much here, I said. Mostly Lucys work. I just tossed money at the problem.


    Its still a nice gesture. I needed to get out of the house.


    That bad? I asked.


    Iveined about it at length already, she said. Besides, it really isnt that bad. Just a lot of old worried nuns who dont know what they can do to help. It weighs on you, you know? Not knowing, not being able to act. I think... maybe thats one of the requirements to be a vanguard.


    I tilted my head. You mean you need to be pissed that you cant do anything?


    Didnt you feel that, when you were offered the position? Delh asked.


    I snorted. If I recall, I was mostly thinking oh shit oh fuck Im going to die. There might have been some internal screaming too.


    Delhs shoulders shook with a single exhale ofughter. I guess thats fair. We dont exactly have the most peaceful job there is.


    Yeah, I agreed. I kinda like it though.


    She nodded along. Its not bad work. Satisfying, in its own way. But it is dangerous. Hey, Cat?


    Yeah?


    Gomorrah didnt say anything for a bit, it was clear she was thinking about something. If I die, can you take care of Franny for me?


    Uh, I said. You know, I already have one girlfriend.


    She jabbed her elbow into my ribs and I coughed as I bent over from the blow. Dont be a fool, you know what I meant.


    I grinned. I know, I know. Just messing with you. But okay, yeah. As long as you do the same with Lucy for me.


    Gomorrah nodded. Its a deal.


    Okay, I said before extending my hand to her. She looked at it for a moment before she took it and we shook. Deal. But only if you promise that youll cork it first.


    Hah! Now that I think about it, I really picked the short stick with this one, didnt I? Youre the one always in close proximity to things that are exploding.


    Damn right, I said. I leaned to the side, bumping her shoulder with mine. So, you want me to take care of Franny, huh? That must mean you care about her a whole lot? It was a statement, but I wasnt hiding any of the implication behind the words.


    Delh rolled her eyes and tore apart another fry before answering. I do care a lot about her. Shes my best... one of my best friends. I dont know if I care about her the way youre implying though. So please keep your head firmly out of the gutter.


    I couldnt help the grin. One of... does that make me best friend number two?


    In a far second ce, maybe, Delh said. Also, while were on the subject, can you tell Lucy to calm down a bit with her... romantic intentions? I think shes not nearly as subtle as she thinks she is.


    I can tell her. Dont know if thatll stop her. Shes got this thing for hopeless people.


    Franny and I are hardly hopeless, Delh said.


    I made a so-so gesture with my hand. Youre both a little hopeless, I said. Besides, youre our friends, and Lucy probably just wants the best for you. Or what she thinks is best.


    You know, youre rather sweet for a semi-feral street orphan, Delh said.


    Semi-feral? I asked. I grabbed a handful of chips and shoved them into my mouth, crumbs falling all over.


    Disgusting, Delh said, but there was a hint of amusement under her haughtiness.


    I perked up as I heard Lucy returning. She was followed by a red-faced Franny and a catbot that had a few cheap bags bnced on its back. Hey! The dessert arrived!


    You ordered dessert? Delh asked. After all of this?


    Whats wrong with dessert? I asked.


    She shook her head. Its a good thing we lead such active lives, I cant imagine burning all of this off otherwise.


    Come on, theres ice cream for everyone, Lucy said. We had ordered those super expensive little ice-cream packs, the ones that had weird vours that somehow sounded really good. Lucy passed them around and then handed out spoons, and soon we were pigging out on semi-melted sugary goodness.


    So, Franny asked as she licked her spoon, are you two going to be doing more work tomorrow?


    I nodded. Yeah. I dont know if well be together or not though?


    I dont mind either way. But I intend to start early in the morning.


    I can get up early, I said.


    At around five, Delh added.


    In the morning? I asked. Thats not healthy.


    Its before the sunes up. Im certain the aliens wont sleep overnight. The earlier we hit them, the fewer well have to deal with.


    I guess, but for me to be up at that kind of hour Id need to go to bed like, before midnight. I shook my head. Thats just wrong. Itll take an hour or so to rx after were done with dessert, then half an hour to say goodbye, then we need to check on the kittens. Then after that Lucy and I need to take a shower together. By the time thats all done itll be tomorrow.


    Delh shook her head. Degenerate, she said.


    Prude, I fired back.


    We ate our ice cream, then argued over politics, all four of us clearly having no idea about what we were talking about, but plenty of opinions to make up for ourck of knowledge.


    Once everything was done, we lounged around for a bit, none of us had the energy to pick up the trash heaped before us.


    We should head out, Delh said. She was a bit mournful-sounding about it, but she kept ncing up out of one thin window and at the cold, dark sky outside. It was getting to be prettyte.


    Alright, I said. I stood up with a grunt of effort, then gave my hand to Delh to get her to her feet. She helped Franny in turn, who seemed to almost be in pain from overeating.


    We made our way downstairs, past the living room where a few kittens were sleeping huddled up in piles of nkets here and there, and finally out to the lobby where we all stared at the blustery rain washing across thending pad outside.


    Drive safe, I said. And give me a call tomorrow... maybe a few hours after five?


    Gomorrah chuckled. I will, no worries. Taking on the aliens is always more fun when theres more of us on the scene. And more explosive too.


    I grinned. Damned right.


    Lucy went around, giving everyone goodbye hugs, and I got swept up in all of that too.


    And then the two were off, running over to the <em>Fury</em> while covering their heads from the downpour.


    That was nice, I said.


    It was, Lucy agreed. Shes a good friend. Hot too.


    Uh-huh, I said. Jealous?


    Sheughed. You wish. Unless getting cucked is a kink you havent told me about?


    Im afraid not, I said. I leaned over and gave her forehead a careful peck. Should we head back in? I think I saw some trash bags somewhere, and we can stuff the leftovers away for tomorrow.


    Mmhm, that sounds nice, Lucy said. And then a nice long shower, which I deserve after doing all the work tonight.


    Ah yes, my hard-working Lucy, carrying all the boxes around and only stealing a bit of the food for herself.


    That earned me a smack, followed by a chase through our new home.


    ***